UA in the News: December 11, 2012

Gadsden native crowned Miss Alabama USA 2013 in Montgomery aims to help young women with self-confidenceAl.com – Dec. 10
Mary Margaret McCord, 22, of Gadsden, who was crowned Miss Alabama USA 2013 at a pageant on Saturday, Dec. 8, 2012, at the Montgomery Performing Arts Center, says she would like to use her new position to help young women struggling with image and self-confidence issues…“Winning Miss Alabama USA has been a dream of mine,” McCord told al.com in a phone interview. “I competed for the first time three years ago. So third time was the charm and I’m so lucky, honored and grateful to get this opportunity to represent the wonderful state of Alabama.” McCord holds a bachelor’s in public relations, with a double minor in communications and entrepreneurship; and is currently pursuing a master’s in marketing at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, where she now resides. McCord plans to take a semester off to concentrate on travelling the state as Miss Alabama USA — making appearances and training for the Miss USA pageant that will be held in the summer.Gadsden Times – Dec. 11

UA students wrap up coat drive for Hurricane Sandy victimsFox 6 (Birmingham) – Dec. 10
From our Tuscaloosa newsroom, students from the University of Alabama wrap up a coat drive for victims of Hurricane Sandy. UA’s chapter of the Public Relations Society of America collected more than 250 coats. Organizers credit a Facebook page, fundraisers, and a “Tuscaloosa Gives” project for spreading the word. “You know, it’s been great … the efforts the Tuscaloosa community has done to kind of come together to help New Yorkers out. We all came together as a community and we’re all really excited to help them out this holiday season.” The group also raised more than $400 to buy more coats.

Volunteer effort leads to new playground for RosedaleTuscaloosa News – Dec. 11
With a final shout of “Ka-boom!” from the 100 or so volunteers who helped construct it, a new playground officially opened Monday at Rosedale Park in an area still rebuilding after the April 27, 2011, tornado. The installation was the culmination of efforts of the Tuscaloosa County Park and Recreation Authority, PNC Bank and the nonprofit organization KaBOOM!, a Washington, D.C.-based charity with the mission to install playgrounds and play spaces “within walking distance of every child in America,” according to its website. It also took a small army of residential volunteers, who constructed the playground in six hours under extremely wet and, later, cold conditions. Volunteers included Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity members Evan Brannen, Thomas Lewallen and Michael Hooper from the University of Alabama.

The University of Alabama, a student-centered research university, is experiencing significant growth in both enrollment and academic quality. This growth, which is positively impacting the campus and the state's economy, is in keeping with UA's vision to be the university of choice for the best and brightest students. UA, the state's flagship university, is an academic community united in its commitment to enhancing the quality of life for all Alabamians.